One of the most effective success coaches I have worked with is Tony Robbins. Tolen, my roommate of 25 years, received a small inheritance when his brother died, and he decided to use part of the money to sponsor a trip for us to Chicago to attend Unleash the Power Within. This was by far one of the best investments we ever made. The Five Days were electric, filled with teachings and processes. Tony himself is an extraordinary role model. He walks his talk, and that’s the highest compliment I ever give anyone.

During Unleash the Power Within I was exposed to the concept of controlling one’s mind in order to overcome an obstacle. We were taught how to achieve a peak mental state, lock that feeling into our physiology, and then we did the fire walk. If anyone tells you that the coals aren’t hot, they are totally mistaken. One of the embers from the coals landed on my hand and created quite a blister; while the heat rising from the coals had everyone near it sweating, even though it was fiercely cold outside.

I can see it in my mind’s eye to this day — about a 5 foot wide swath of coals going down the length of the parking lot — red hot, glowing. Man, I was in total fear and did not want to walk that path, and the whole time Tony coached us, had us repeat the mantra,  “Cool moss. Cool moss. Cool moss.”  So, when it was my turn, I inched up to the coals, and the facilitator assigned to my group helped me strengthen my state. Off I went across the coals, crossing the parking lot, without burning my feet. It seemed like hours, but it only took moment before my feet hit the frozen asphalt. The contrast between the coals and the pavement was stark. I had overcome this challenge, and I could use peak mental states to overcome anything.

In deep gratitude and honor of Tony Robbins, I would like to end this post by sharing one of his latest YouTube videos. It gives an excellent teaching on certainty and shows watchers how to go into a peak mental state. Happy watching!